Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Piglet Surpise

Piggly Wiggly (our 50% large black gilt) lived with our large black boar for about 3 months earlier this year (Janurary through March). Since they were living together, we weren't exactly sure when she was bred and couldn't use the 3 month, 3 weeks, 3 days method of figuring out when she was due. We knew she was getting close because she was getting HUGE. Last week her teats starting sticking out more and her utter-area was a bit bulkier. I told Matt Friday I thought she would have piglets over the weekend, he told me he thought she was still a couple of weeks away. Turns out we were both wrong. I went out for morning chores and found seven tiny piglets hanging out in the pasture.

Well, it's been HOT, so Matt jumped into emergency mode. He rushed off to pick up some palates from a construction site in town. While he was gone, the piglets took matters into their own hands.

Building the shelter turned into a family affair. Isaac helped hold wood as Matt connected 4 palates (2 for the back and one on each side) by screwing them onto two 2x4's then screwing a 4x8 sheet of plywood on top and a 2x8 sheet of plywood onto the back. Some hay was added to the bottom and, viola, instant piglet shelter.

The piglets seem to be enjoying their new area. We sure enjoy watching them. The piglets are 75% Large Black and 25% Yorkshire. Six of them appear to be all black and one is white with black spots like their mom. And they are all cute! The pictures do not do them justice in the least. However, if you'd like to see more pictures, check them out by looking up ICAcres (local business) on Facebook.